Smashwords Authors Give Back Sale Underway Through April 20, 2020

From Smashwords:

Thousands of Deep-Discounted eBooks!

"In recent days as the global Covid-19 pandemic unfolded, several Smashwords authors reached out to our founder Mark Coker, asking him to consider running a special sale for their readers.

These authors wanted to do their part to use the power of their books to help mitigate the emotional and econonomic hardship faced by citizens of every country, many of whom are now forced to stay home and self-isolate.

Our authors asked and we listened. Now through April 20 at the Smashwords Store, thousands of Smashwords authors and publishers are offering deep discounts of 30%, 60% and even 100% on select ebooks.

It is the hope of our authors that you, your friends, and your family might find redemptive strength, comfort, and enjoyment from their books.

If you discover a new favorite author during the sale, consider showing your appreciation by purchasing and reading their other books. The 140,000 authors that publish at Smashwords come from every country and community around the globe. They're your friends and neighbors.

Please help spread the word! Hashtags #authorsgiveback and #Smashwords.

Take care and stay safe."

VISIT SMASHWORDS ONLINE

How to Create a Trailer for your Book by Hank Quense, Author of How to Self-Publish and Market at Book

If you use a Mac computer, you have all the software you need to create a trailer.  How to use that software is described below.  If you have a PC, you can follow the details but you’ll have to figure out what software to use.  A web search will reveal lists of programs available.

On your Mac, you’ll use iMovie and Keynote to develop the trailer.  iMovie is a powerful software program that can be used to make a trailer and other video productions.  Keynote is a presentation program similar to Powerpoint.

To get started you need to create a series of slides describing your book project.  I’ll use a novel in my example.  Besides the body of the slide (what will show on the screen) use the Presenters Notes to write the script you will record later on.  Try to keep the trailer length less than two minutes.

Here is a workable set of Keynote slides you can use to build a simple trailer:

    ◆      Slide 1: Show the book cover image in the body and paste your book blurb in the Presenters Notes.

    ◆      Slide 2: Create several bullet items about your protagonist.  Write about the character’s motivation in the notes

    ◆      Slide 3: Create several bullet items about the antagonist.  Write about the character’s motivation in the notes

    ◆      Slide 4: List the main plot events: Write about how the two characters engage in conflict.

    ◆      Slide 5: List book buyer sites.  The trailer can’t have active links and you don’t have any right now

    ◆      Slide 6: Book cover image.  Write a call to action. (Buy now!  Don’t miss this thrilling whatever! Etc.)

Once you complete the Keynote presentation, export the slides as images.  This will produce a folder with a png (or jpg) file for each slide.

Open iMovie and start a new movie.  Now drag the slide images into the middle of the iMovie screen.  Next, drag each image into the bottom part of the iMovie screen.  Each image you drag down there will be set to show for 4 seconds.  That’s the default value.

For the next step, you’ll record an audio track to go with each image.  Highlight the first slide (It should be the book image).  The image will also show up in the small viewer on the upper right.  Click on the microphone.  You’ll get a countdown clock.  Record the message.  Put some enthusiasm into it.  Your audio track will appear under the image on the bottom.  You’ll notice the audio is much wider than the image.  Drag the right side of the image to increase the time the image shows on screen.  Make it the same length as the audio clip.

If you put the cursor over the first image/audio clip and press the space bar, iMovie will play the video.  Press the space bar again to stop the playback.

Now record all the other audio scripts and adjust the images to match the audio. 

In the viewing screen (upper right) you’ll notice the current slide is partially grayed out.  iMovie, by default, tries to make the video look sexy by moving the slide viewing area around.  To change this and make the slides static, click on the ‘fit’ button.  Do this for each slide. 

Play the video several times (use the space bar) and make adjustments as necessary.

When you’re satisfied with the video, click on ‘file’ (in the toolbar) and ‘share’.  Select ‘file’ and pick a place to stash the movie on your computer.  iMovie will work for a few seconds (or minutes, depending on how long the video is), and the final trailer in mp4 format will be ready for use.

Click on the video and Quicktime Player (another Mac only program) will open and show the trailer.

Once you have the trailer ready to go, you can upload it to YouTube, embed into your website, and post it online.   If you upload it to YouTube, click on the ’share’ button and grab the link to the video.  Paste the link everywhere so others will find the trailer.

Once the book is published and you have your ‘buy links’, go back to YouTube and put the links into a comment text box.

~ ~ ~

This article was taken from my material in my new book, How to Self-publish and Market a Book.

Here is the book blurb:

Are you considering self-publishing your first book?  Naturally, you have questions and concerns.  This book has your answers.  It integrates both the publishing and the marketing to provide you with a complete project plan to market your book while you publish it.

The book is available at:

Amazon:  https://amzn.to/2Zbrx54

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/2Y2rewE

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/949789

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2ltLzbU

And other online book sellers

Hank Quense writes humorous and satiric sci-fi and fantasy stories. He also writes and lectures about fiction writing and self-publishing. He has published 19 books and 50 short stories along with dozens of articles. He often lectures on fiction writing and publishing and has a series of guides covering the basics on each subject. He and his wife Pat usually vacation in another galaxy or parallel universe. They also time travel occasionally when Hank is searching for new story ideas.

Links? You want links? Here you go:

Hank’s website: http://hankquense.org/wp

 Hank's Facebook fiction page:

https://www.facebook.com/StrangeWorldsOnline?ref=hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hanque99

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanque/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hankquense/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3002079.Hank_Quense

Reaching the Masses: How to Promote Your Book Workshop at Wilbraham Public Library

Your book is published. Now what? These days, authors are responsible for the lion's share of book promotion. Local children's author Cheryl C. Malandrinos shares her personal experience of promoting books online and in person. Learn tips on how to write a press release, contact the media, set up a virtual book tour, and how to use social media to expand your reach.

Cheryl is the author of four children's books. She also spent seven years as a virtual book tour coordinator for Pump Up Your Book. A blogger and a book reviewer, she is a member of SCBWI and an acquisitions editor for 4RV Publishing.

Day and Time: Tuesday, September 10, 2019 from 6 to 8 pm
Location: Brooks Room, Wilbraham Public Library, 25 Crane Park Dr, Wilbraham, MA 01095

Registration required

Contact Caroline Welch of the Wilbraham Public Library at 413-596-6141 or by email at cwelch@wilbrahamlibrary.org

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - Feb 25

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.

Not only has Monday come again, so quickly, I can't believe we are at the end of February already. Am I getting old? :)

I've got a busy week coming up, so I took most of the weekend off. We set up the Lil' Princess' new bedroom furniture and I've got contractors quoting out some new floors and painting. Twenty years is enough with the old stuff. I don't know why I ever put carpets in this house. I'll be so happy when they are gone.

In  my reading world, you'll see I finished The Cumberland Bride and posted my review. Right now, I'm reading this book:

The month of March reviews looks like this:

I need to squeeze in these ones soon too:

What is on your list to read this week? 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - July 2

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.


How is it Monday again? At least it's the first Monday on the Outer Banks. Vacation has been fun so far.

I've read two books since we arrived...

I started this one yesterday...

Next up might be...

What are you reading right now? 

Book Review: PR for Poets by Jeannine Hall Gailey

Jeannine Hall Gailey, who served as the second Poet Laureate of Redmond, Washington, has created a superb publicity and marketing guide for writers of poetry. PR for Poets takes you from pre-publication, to finding the right publisher, to what to do after you get that coveted book deal, to book launch and beyond.

Some of the topics covered are:

• Building a platform
• Creating a social media presence
• PR kits 
• Branding
• Pitching to bookstores and libraries
• In person and radio interviews
• Book tours

There are numerous insightful interviews with industry professionals, which the reader will find extremely helpful. Also included is information on how to track sales and, my favorite, a checklist that includes steps starting from one year before publication through one year and beyond the publication of your book. Finally, there are pages of additional in print and online resources listed that will make it easier for you to get started. 

As someone who previously worked in online book promotion, I appreciate all that PR for Poets has to offer. Marketing any book can be challenging. PR for Poets empowers the reader to put together an effective plan to gain exposure for her work. If you're writing poetry for publication, PR for Poets should be on your bookshelf. 

Paperback: 228 pages
Publisher: Two Sylvias Press (March 22, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1948767007
ISBN-13: 978-1948767002

I received a free digital copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

The Importance of Promoting Your Book--Interview with Cheryl Malandrinos & Giveaway from Linda Weaver Clarke

Imagine my surprise when I received an email this morning from my friend, Linda Weaver Clarke, who asked me to post about an international giveaway she is running at her blog, along with a short interview with little ole me.

"Linda teaches a workshop that helps others to put their family history into a variety of interesting stories."

You can find out more about Linda's Family Legacy workshops by visiting her website.



In coordination with our interview on "The Importance of Promoting Your Book", Linda is offering a copy of her Family Legacy Booklet, as a giveaway.

Learn the most important elements of writing. Do you need help getting started writing your family history, autobiography, or want to develop your writing skills? Discuss setup, characters, plot, the importance of conflict and emotion. The secret of holding a reader is using emotion; it’s the difference between a slow or a lively recounting of a story. Make your ancestors come alive on paper. Make your family legacy something your children will be proud of.

This booklet contains the same rules for fiction and non-fiction writing.

The Family Legacy Booklet giveaway runs from May 5th through May 15th. You can read our interview and find details on the giveaway by visiting Linda's blog.

You can meet Linda in person at the following locations:

May 2010

5th: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Workshop at Tucker Branch Library, 5234 La Vista Rd., Tucker, Georgia, Contact library at 770-270-8234

8th: 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Workshop at Roswell Library, 115 Norcross Street, Roswell, Georgia. Contact library at 770-640-3075

My thanks goes out to Linda for hosting me today.

Karen White's Article on Promoting Wisely

Southern fiction author, Karen White, is on a virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotion to promote her latest release, The House on Tradd Street. She wrote an article that appears at The Writer's Life about promoting wisely. Here is an excerpt:

"Once upon a time, I was a voracious reader. I was never without a book in my purse, in my hand, on my bedside table or all of the above. And in all the times that I went to a library or bookstore and saw all of those books on the shelves, it never occurred to me that I could be one of those authors.

Fast forward twenty-some years. While staying at home with my babies, I sat down one day and just started typing. I wanted to write the kind of book I like to read—characters who are real and emotional stories that mix a woman’s journey with a little romance and mystery thrown in. I entered that first manuscript in a writing contest, and I ended up winning. The finalist judge was a literary agent in New York and she offered to represent me. I signed an agreement and she sold the book to the second publisher she sent it to. And then it was all clear sailing, right? Wrong!"

Read the rest of the article here.

From Blank Page to Book Shelves

I am giving up the floor today to Theresa Chaze, author of From Blank Page to Book Shelves. She'll talk about local book marketing and promotions.

Theresa Chaze is a publishing consultant and publicist who helps authors successful publish and market their own work. Here's what she has to say:



Many authors are so focused on the Internet and the big picture that they frequently overlook local marketing opportunities. Regional promotion needs to be the starting point for every author. It is the place to get experience answering questions and chatting up the reading public. The more comfortable you are talking about your work and the industry, the more creditable you will be to your readership.

Book marketing and promotion opportunities don't have to cost more than your time and enthusiasm. By having faith in yourself and a little courage you can create openings to talk about your work without having to spend money for advertising.

* Write articles for the local paper or magazines on topic will give the author credibility and is a positive marketing tool. However, the articles don't specifically need to be about your work, but should include any topic that you have knowledge or interest in.

* Give away promotional book markers or postcards to people you meet and send them in books of the same genre that are on bookstore shelves. This doesn't mean blanket the shelves, just occasionally add one to a book that is similar to your own to tap into their readership.

* Arrange to do a combination reading and book signing at a local store. Most book signings are just show and tell for later sales. However, if you combine it with a reading of the book, you will gather more curiosity about the rest of it.

* Give lectures in the community. If you are passionate about an issue or about a cause get involved. Not all of promotion has to be directly related to your work. Half the battle is getting name recognition and creating a brand name for yourself. By making yourself more identifiable and interesting, you create a wider market for your work.

* Write press releases emphasizing that you are a local writer. Many newspapers and TV stations do human interests stories. Just because the show is local doesn't mean that the information stops at the county line. Families and friends are spread out across the country; if you can impress one, you have access to them all.

* Burn CD's with excerpts and your bio that bookstores could give away. Blank CD's and cases are relatively inexpensive marketing tools, especially if you have more than one book. Not only are you able to put book trailers but also short excerpts to create an interest in your work.

* Talk about you books. When you are waiting in line at the check out, start a conversation with the people around you. It will make the wait easier while promoting your book.

The key is to never pass up an opportunity to let others know about your book. Whether standing in a check out lane or paying bills, you can turn nearly every experience into a promotional prospect. Not only will these impromptu opportunities help others learn about your work, but they will also prepare you for the questions asked during professional interviews and cold calls to bookstores.

You can purchase your copy of From Blank Page to Book Shelves at Amazon.com


This virtual book tour has been brought to you by: